A Brief History of Glasgow's Industrial Legacy and Connection to the New Space Economy
By Ross Hamilton
For over 250 years, Glasgow and the River Clyde was the shipbuilding capital of the world, so much so that the term ‘Clydebuilt’ became synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship across the globe.
Today, Glasgow is a leading force in the global space industry, continuing its legacy of innovation. Its industrial expertise has evolved from shipbuilding to space exploration, becoming the second-largest manufacturer of CubeSats in the world. Glasgow is an integral part of the Scottish space sector that is developing Europe's first vertical rocket launch sites, and a leader in space data analytics.
As someone born, raised, and educated in Glasgow, with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Glasgow, and now the COO of the Scottish Space Network, I’m proud to share how we’ve gone from building sail ships to space ships.
From Sail Ships...
In the 14th century, Scotland defended itself with a growing navy. Robert I hired Scottish, Flemish, and French merchants to aid the cause, while later kings like James I and James IV expanded the navy, commissioning massive vessels, including the world’s largest ship at the time, Michael. The Glasgow’s River Clyde had been a shipbuilding hub since the 15th century, but it wasn’t until the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, that Glasgow rose to global prominence.
The Fathers of Glasgow’s Industrial Revolution
Born in Greenock, just west of Glasgow, James Watt was the engineer who revolutionized the steam engine, which powered Britain's Industrial Revolution. His invention of the separate condenser significantly improved efficiency, and his introduction of "horsepower" to measure energy output changed engineering forever. Watt’s advancements not only fueled the shipbuilding industry but laid the groundwork for future technological breakthroughs.
Meanwhile Adam Smith, the father of modern economics and author of The Wealth of Nations during the Scottish Enlightenment, also hailed from Scotland. His ideas on the division of labor, theory of value, free enterprise and economic growth were instrumental in driving Scotland's industries during the Industrial Revolution, creating an environment ripe for innovation and specialization within shipbuilding.
Glasgow: The Shipbuilding Capital of the World
By the early 19th century, Glasgow had transformed into a booming industrial hub, driven by rapid advancements in steam-engine manufacturing, steel production, and the pig-iron industry. These innovations laid the foundation for one of the world’s greatest shipbuilding industries, establishing the city and the River Clyde as a global center of excellence. Glasgow's shipyards became synonymous with craftsmanship, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology, propelling the term "Clydebuilt" into a mark of international quality.
The Clyde produced some of the most significant vessels in maritime history. Among these were the iconic Cutty Sark, one of the fastest tea clippers ever built; the RMS Lusitania, a luxury ocean liner tragically sunk during World War I, which played a pivotal role in bringing the United States into the conflict; and HMY Britannia, the royal yacht that served the British monarchy for over 40 years, and now permanently berthed in Leith in Edinburgh. Other notable ships included the RMS Queen Mary (now in Long Beach, CA) and Queen Elizabeth, both famed for their speed and luxury, transporting passengers across the Atlantic.
During the 20th century, Glasgow’s shipyards produced between 20,000 and 30,000 naval, merchant, and passenger ships, accounting for roughly 20% of the world’s total shipping output at its peak. Glasgow’s shipyards employed tens of thousands of workers and attracted engineers, designers, and shipbuilders from around the world, making the city a magnet for industrial talent.
This level of production earned Glasgow the nickname "Second City of the British Empire," and it was said that "a ship launched on the Clyde is heard around the world." The city’s shipyards built vessels that were critical to the global economy, warfare, and exploration, and their expertise in large-scale engineering and manufacturing influenced industries far beyond maritime construction.
Innovation was at the heart of Glasgow’s shipbuilding success. The city’s shipbuilders pioneered the use of iron and steel in hull construction, replacing traditional wooden designs and enabling the creation of larger, more durable vessels. Glasgow was also home to the world’s first large-scale marine diesel engine factories, and its engineers developed advanced steamship boilers that powered ocean liners across the world’s trade routes. These innovations in propulsion, structural design, and hydrodynamics, not only made Glasgow’s ships faster and more efficient but also opened the door for developments in other industries, including the aerospace sector and advanced manufacturing.
...To Space Ships
Today, Glasgow, once famous for its shipbuilding, has emerged as a revolutionary force in the global space industry. The city’s history of engineering expertise, world-class academic institutions, and recent successes in high-tech and space data analytics have positioned it as a global leader in the "New Space" economy.
Where traditional space sectors were dominated by large, expensive satellites, today’s shift to "New Space" focuses on smaller, lower-cost platforms like CubeSats. Glasgow produces more CubeSats than any city in Europe, with Scotland being the second largest producer of CubeSats in the world, after the US. These satellites have become essential to modern life, powering everything from online banking to weather forecasts to worldwide communications to Earth Observation and imaging.
Much credit for Glasgow’s rise in space goes to Craig Clark MBE, a pioneer in the Scottish space industry. In 2004, Clark founded AAC Clyde Space, named after the River Clyde and its shipbuilding legacy. His vision was to disrupt the traditional satellite industry by producing small, agile satellites that would make space accessible to all.
Clyde Space's development of the UKube-1 satellite and its collaboration with international partners helped lay the foundation for a burgeoning space sector in Scotland and earning its place in UK space history. Clark’s vision attracted international companies like Spire and Celestia UK to Scotland. Today, over 130 space companies operate in Scotland, employing more than 7,500 people.
Diverse Talent and Innovation: from Industrial Revolution to Modern-Day Glasgow
The cosmopolitan nature of Glasgow's workforce has always been a key strength, and now helps the city stay competitive in the global space race.
Glasgow's success and innovation in global shipbuilding and manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution was driven by a diverse workforce of cultures, skills, expertise, and perspectives that combined local talent with waves of immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Eastern Europe, and Jewish communities. Likewise, modern Glasgow and its space industry benefits from a rich collaboration of engineers, software developers, data scientists, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
However, Glasgow’s transition from shipbuilding to space systems would not have been possible without its world-class universities and research institutions. Both the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde have been instrumental in attracting international investments and partnerships to the Scottish space sector. They have nurtured innovation to maintain Scotland’s competitive edge in space technology, created new generations of engineering and research talent, and cultivated research collaborations, international programs, and partnerships with global space agencies.
The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, has played a pivotal role in the development of engineering and scientific innovation, both during the Industrial Revolution and in today's space sector. It was the first institution in the UK to establish a chair in engineering in 1840, offered the first engineering degree program in the UK in 1872, and the first faculty of engineering in 1923, laying the foundation for an educational focus on mechanical and aeronautical engineering.
Today, the university continues to be a leader in space research through Space Glasgow, a group that brings together scientists and engineers to focus on spacecraft construction, gravitational wave research, and space exploration technology. The university also leads projects like the LISA Pathfinder and LISA missions, which study gravitational waves and are key to understanding the dynamics of space.
The University of Strathclyde has long been an industrial and technological powerhouse. Founded in 1796 as the Andersonian Institute, Strathclyde became the UK’s first technological university. Its Aerospace Centre of Excellence is a multidisciplinary hub for aerospace engineering, and the Strathclyde Space Institute is a core member of Scotland’s space research network.
Strathclyde is a key player in Scotland’s space industry, offering a range of programs that train students in satellite engineering, space safety, robotics, and data analytics. The university collaborates closely with private sector companies, allowing students and researchers to work directly on industry projects. Its involvement with the International Astronautical Federation and initiatives like the Scottish Space School provide future space industry leaders with hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
Institutions such as the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) also play crucial roles in research and development, providing technological support to the aerospace sector. These organizations specialize in cutting-edge manufacturing processes, from materials science to additive manufacturing to automation and robotics.
From Past to Future: Glasgow's Role in Space
As Glasgow continues to build CubeSats and innovate in across the entire space ecosystem and supply chain, it remains true to its industrial roots. The qualities that once made "Clydebuilt" a mark of excellence—precision, innovation, and endurance—are alive and well in Glasgow’s new space economy.
With the UK’s first spaceport planned for Sutherland and its ongoing leadership in satellite production, Glasgow and Scotland are well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of Europe’s space revolution.
Just as Glasgow once built the ships that connected the world’s oceans, today it builds the satellites that connect the world’s skies, carrying its legacy of craftsmanship into the final frontier.
Written by:
Ross Hamilton
Chief Operating Officer
Scottish Space Network
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